Newbie needs advice on 2011 298RES

[mnordel]

We are complete newbies to the travel trailers, we have been looking and eventually the all seem to look the same, until we found the Eagle Super Lite 298RES. Absolutly love the floor plan but have some reservations.

First, we are concerned that it maybe too much weight for our tow vehicle, we have a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe, it is tow rated to 8500 LBS, it has the heavy duty towing package with 3.42 rear end and factory installed trailer brakes. The dry weight of the Trailer is just over 7300LBS. Experienced advice would be very much appreciated.

This is a used model that appears as new, the dealer claims it was only used once and the owner decided to trade up to a larger one. It does seem odd anyone would take it out once and lose a lot of money trading it in but anything is possible. They are willing to sell it for 23,800, It seems like a good deal but input would be appreciated. I dont find NADA to be all that good of a source when it comes to automobiles so I have my doubts about travel trailers as well.

Is there anything we need to know about this trailer that the dealer wouldnt tell us? Problems? Things to look for? Unexpected expenses? I would like to make a clear headed decision and not one based on falling in love with a floor plan!

Thank you in advance, I look forward to any and all input or advice.

[Crabman]

Welcome to the forum, mnordel. Here are the specs for that unit, which I believe show that this is a bit too much trailer for the Tahoe IMO. The gross weight or GVWR is 9200 lbs which exceeds your tow rating and when you add passengers and any cargo in the Tahoe you go over that rating even more, unfortunately. Then there is the loaded hitch weight which could go well over 1,000 lbs. The delivered trailer dry weight will also likely exceed the 7300 lb published weight, mine did by over 200 lbs. I`m sure others will chime in on this as well.


FLOORPLAN 298RES
Weights
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 7,300
Hitch Weight (lbs) 870
Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs) 9,200
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 1,900
Measurements
Exterior Travel Length 33'11"
Exterior Height w/AC 133"
Interior Height 81"
Tank Capacities
Fresh Water Capacity (gals.) includes water heater 76
Gray Wastewater Capacity (gals.) 32.5
Toilet / Black Wastewater Capacity (gals.) 32.5
Other
Sleeping Capacity

[mnordel]

I had a feeling the salesman didnt know what he was talking about. ****

Hate to trade up to a 3/4 ton but I might have to. Not sure I want to go smaller.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by mnordel

snip....... First, we are concerned that it maybe too much weight for our tow vehicle, we have a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe, it is tow rated to 8500 LBS, ......snip

mnordel,

First, welcome to the Jayco forums!

I couldn't agree more, the 298RES is a great and popular floorplan. Unfortunately as Lee mentioned in his reply even a "Super Lite" can be a little heavy for some TV's.

Your Tahoe tow rating of 8,200lbs is a little misleading (as all publicized tow ratings are), but the following forum sticky will explain how to confirm your "actual" tow rating, which Lee touched on: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=3866

Good rule of thumb when looking at TT's is to think in terms of "loaded weights", and avoided being drawn into dry and UVW ratings.

Taking the 298RES as an example, I'll make some realistic "assumptions" on what this TT may weigh when "loaded" for camping:

Building from the 7,300lb UVW, the ship weight will be approximately 7,550lbs. We now add dealer supplied items like the WDH, battery, etc., for another 150lbs.. Your personal cargo and "stuff" can very (we all have different loading habits), but adding another 800lbs would be conservative for your "stuff". We are looking at a "loaded" 298RES TT weight of 8,500lbs. Note, this loaded weight doesn't include any fluids in the tanks.

Also, take into consideration the TT's "loaded" tongue weight, which ideally you would want it to be 13% to 15% (of loaded TT weight) for a 33ft long TT, which would be 1,105lbs to 1,275lbs (of 8,500lbs). Also, the TT's loaded tongue weight becomes part of your TV's cargo capacity. This loaded tongue weight data would also be used to size your TV's receiver and WDH.

You mentioned that your TV has a 3.42 gear, IMO this isn't an ideal condition for towing a TT of this weight, a 3.73 gear minimum would be more desirable.

I think your initial concerns were "right on", just a little to much weight for your existing TV.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[mnordel]

Bob, thank you as well.

Why wouldn't a dealer tell me that? They asked me what i was towing it with. I understand they want to sell travel trailers but they must not expect much repeat business if they are killing off the customers.

[clutch]

Even if you added air bags the gear ratio of 3:42 will not provide the performance you might want. A heavy trailer and a short tow vehicle isn't a good combination either. Just my opinion.

[mnordel]

What weight would you guys recommend as a max for said tow vehicle?

[Rustic Eagle]

mnordel,

I think most RV dealerships know their products well, but fall short in the ability to match the product to any TV in question.

You're ahead of the game doing your do-diligence, so I'm sure you will eventually end up with a safe and enjoyable TV/TT combination. Feel free to post any questions or comments during your TT search.

Bob

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by clutch

Even if you added air bags the gear ratio of 3:42 will not provide the performance you might want. A heavy trailer and a short tow vehicle isn't a good combination either. Just my opinion.

I`m not sure about this, but don`t the new 6 speed trannys they are using make better use out of the higher rear gear ratio then say the older 4 speed trannys like I have? Still too much trailer for the Yukon but I was wondering if someone could elaborate on this.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by mnordel

What weight would you guys recommend as a max for said tow vehicle?

The safest way to respond to your question would be to confirm your TV's "actual" tow rating (reference link in earlier post), then look at TT's with a publicized GVWR equal to/or less than your actual tow rating.

Just "guessing", I would think you would be looking at a TT with a GVWR under 7,000lbs.

Bob

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by mnordel

What weight would you guys recommend as a max for said tow vehicle?

Some use the mythical and unwritten "80% rule". Which simply means you take 80% of your tow vehicles tow rating and use that as the GVWR for your trailer. This allows a cushion for weight in the tow vehicle and other variables and keeps the tongue weight from getting too high by limiting the weight of the trailer itself. With this rule, for example, if your tow rating is 10,000 lbs you would limit your loaded trailer weight to 8000 lbs. This method is somewhat controversial but is accepted by many as a good general starting point for what you can tow and have a safety margin as well.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Crabman

I`m not sure about this, but don`t the new 6 speed trannys they are using make better use out of the higher rear gear ratio then say the older 4 speed trannys like I have?........snip

Lee,

My understanding is that they do, I just don't know what gain is made when matched to a 3.42 gear. I have read on some forums that when the 6-speed is matched with a 3.73 gear it compares to that of a 4-speed and a 4.10 gear. I don't know how valid this is.

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Crabman

Some use the mythical and unwritten "80% rule".......snip

Lee,

I agree, the 80% mythical rule would in many cases keep one out of trouble.

In "mnordel's" case that would be 80% of the publicized tow rating of 8,200lbs, not of the "actual" tow rating because the weights are already factored in.

So 80% of 8,200lbs = 6,560lbs.

Bob

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Lee,

My understanding is that they do, I just don't know what gain is made when matched to a 3.42 gear. I have read on some forums that when the 6-speed is matched with a 3.73 gear it compares to that of a 4-speed and a 4.10 gear. I don't know how valid this is.

Bob

Bob,

I thought that must be the case otherwise the Tahoe with the 3.42 rear would not have the 8000+ lb tow rating that it has.

[mnordel]

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the responses. Thank you all.

Not to split hairs but it is actually rated at 8500.. not that it buys me much. 80% gives me 6800 and not many choices I am afraid.

Any suggestions? Had my head wrapped around the size of that 298 and not to whine.. BUT... I want a super lite Eagle 298RES that comes in under 6800.. Oh yeah, and under 25K.. Pipe dream?

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by mnordel

snip........Not to split hairs but it is actually rated at 8500.. not that it buys me much. 80% gives me 6800 and not many choices I am afraid........

mnordel,

Your right, I fat-fingered the numeric keypad

Bob

[Crabman]

Finding that floorplan under 7000 lbs loaded may be a tall order,it is nearly 34' long and has two slides. But there are some roomy liteweight floorplans that may be worth taking a look at. The Jayfeather line has a few, and other manufacturers have a line of them such as the KZ Spree http://kz-rv.com/spree/2012_specifications.html

[workingchump]

I've got the 298RES (2011) and we love it. The issue is...loaded...it's pretty heavy.
No water loaded...just general items for say a 2-3 week stay, it weighed in at just over 8100lbs. Fully loaded with water it would be pretty close to the max of 9200...

My tow vehicle for last summers season was a 2006 Chev 2500HD with the 6.0L gasser. No mods or anything...but wow...wasn't impressed at all (sorry to any GM/Chev guys...it's just was my experience).
Now, I'm not saying that I wanted to tow the TT at 70+MPH, but dang...took a bit to get it up to speed and it had trouble holding 65 without revin at 3000 (even in tow mode or 3rd).
In short...for the 6-8MPG it got and the overall power attempting to tow...I'm looking to upgrade BIG time
Even though it did the job...I'm currently looking for my cummins...

Tim (aka Workingchump...sigh)

[clutch]

Workingchump, If you get a Cummins be sure and get the 6.7 the six speed automatic is a good puller.

[workingchump]

Got my eyes on one as we speak actually.
2010...Laramie...6.7... "LOADED"
Black on Black...Matching black topper...not a stitch of chrome...ooooooo....
Bleeds testosterone...uh...hmmm.mmm....sorry...

hehe....

Not trying to highjack this thread but what's the average MPG you're getting?